Day 1-1/2

Shelter Island to Silver Strand State Beach Offshore

It's 6:08 A.M. on November 15th and it has been weeks since I've been on the water and since I missed my first window to circumnavigate Catalina Island by kayak. I have learned some important lessons. Among those lessons are to NOT play contact sports before a kayaking vacation. Two weeks before a planned circumnavigation of Catalina Island, I managed to crack my ribs playing of all things 'touch football' with some friends. Going to the picnic: Good Idea. Playing a contact sport just before my first solo circumnavigation: STUPID. Enough of my whining. Today I've pulled in to Shelter Island in beautiful San Diego Bay and there is a 7' tidal swing today. I am hoping that I won't met the incoming tide at it's peak because per my charted course I will likely be coming in against the outgoing tide as well. Here goes. The sun is rising and I'd better get a move on. It's going to be a warm day.

Even though this planned half day is going to be much shorter (by nearly 11 miles) than Day One, it is an important day. I have to find out if I am healed enough to chance a late season paddle around Catalina Island in what could become less than forgiving waters in late November. I have my camp reservations set for 11/21 - 11/23. If today doesn't pan out, it's either chance it much later in the season or early next year. I am also putting one of my favorite sea kayaks through her sea trials today to see if a critical repair to her rudder post is water tight and will hold up to the punishment it can find at sea.

It's 7:15 A.M. now and by the Grace of God I am finally back on the water again. the bay is smooth, the sun hot, and the tidal swing, thank you God again, is barely .4 mph. Even though it's been weeks since I've been on the water, I feel good. The ribs feel fine. I make it across the bay in 7 minutes. This day has possibilities. I can feel them already.

Crossing the bay, I stop looking at my watch and start reading the numbers from my GPS. Time Moving, Odometer, Avg Speed, Heading. I charted this course all the way to the US - MEX Boarder for 14.75 miles each way. Today, I'll be happy with sound ribs and 17 miles round trip.

I paddle along the southern shore of the bay by NASNI (Naval Air Station North Island). It is a beautiful morning and as quiet as a gull's cry. YIKES!!! WHAT IS THAT?? I swear that my boat is now literally vibrating on top of the waters of the bay and it feels like my ears are going to explode! I drop my paddle onto my deck hand grab my ears to stop the pain and look up.

YUP. ITS THE STINKING HOT SHOTS FROM THE AIR BASE WITH THE AFTERBURNERS TURNED ON. AND, THEY DON'T STOP COMING. I COUNT 6 FIGHTER JETS LESS THAN 100 FEET ABOVE MY HEAD EACH LAUNCHING OVER THE BAY WITH AFTERBURNERS TURNED ON. LOVELY.

The next few miles were mercifully more quiet.

I finally make it to the jetty and simply can't find it in me to resist slipping over the submerged jetty just at the end of the AIR BASE!!! Now, it's back to being as quiet as a gull's cry and hopefully I can hear one again. the sea gently surges North and then South and I slide over the top of the rock jetty never brushing a rock once. I am now out of the bay and away from the greater forces of the incoming tide.

Paddling along the jetty in flat water just South of the Point Loma Penninsula is one of the most beautiful sights on the ocean. It gives you perhaps just a glimpse of what the very first morning may have looked like. As I make the end of the jetty and turn South to the US-MEX Boarder I am caught again by another amazing sight. It is the sight of Downtown San Diego in the morning light before everything gets busy.

I manage to make my turnaround point just off Silver Strand State Beach some 8.5 miles from Shelter Island and 3 miles offshore. Unfortunately, it looks like Catalina will be waiting until much later and possibly spring time. The rib cage isn't doing as well as I hoped and I have at least three hours of paddling back to the landing. Still the day is a success. The boat has performed superbly. The sea has been amazing. And, this day all in all is simply a gift. I mark my turnaround point on my GPS and head back to the landing, to a party with friends celebrating the successful swim crossing of the English Channel by Phil Garn earlier in the year. Swimmers are fabulously interesting people and great to paddle for during their training swims and crossings. I had the privilege of supporting one of Phil's longer training swims off La Jolla shores.

Well, so much for a 3 hour paddle back to the landing. The current is running 2 mph and even some of the gulls and rocks are beginning to look familiar.

It took me 4 hours against the current. I guess that isn't too bad. I hope they still have cold drinks and some food left when I arrive. It's been a blessed day today.